BBC Sport has blown the final whistle on Football Focus, a regular Saturday fixture since 1974.
Filmed at dock10’s studios at MediaCity, the BBC said the decision came “following extensive consideration” and wasn’t as a result of the cost-cutting measures.
“Football Focus has been a hugely important programme in the history of BBC Sport and has played a key role in telling the stories of the game for generations of viewers,” explained Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport.
“This decision was made before last week’s wider BBC savings announcement, reflecting the continued shift in how audiences engage with football and our commitment to evolving how we deliver content to reach fans wherever they are.”
The BBC statement cited “changing audience behaviours”, with fans “increasingly consuming football content in different ways and it is appropriate to respond to this as difficult decisions are made around how the licence fee is spent.”
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That means the traditional viewing audience is accessing discussion, highlights, analysis and news through digital platforms and on-demand, including podcasts.
BBC Sport added that it intended to “significantly expand” its digital output this year across its own digital platforms and YouTube – “featuring fresh formats, big personalities and more frequent, always-on content.”
Current Football Focus presenter, Alex Scott, will “remain at the heart of BBC Sport’s football coverage and biggest sporting moments.”
“Alex Scott is one of our finest presenters, is hugely popular across the men’s and women’s game and is a big part of our present and future,” continued Kay-Jelski.
“She will remain at the heart of our sports output across both the Men’s World Cup this year and the Women’s World Cup in 2027, as well as continuing her lead role on the Women’s Super League and BBC Sport Personality of the Year. We are also working on a very exciting new project with her – more to come on that soon”.
Football Focus will stop at the end of this season, with The Football Interview moving to Saturday at 12.45pm at BBC One.
Final Score with Jason Mohammad will start earlier on BBC One at 3.45pm.
